BOLSOVER REPRESENTED AS PART OF EUROPEAN CITIES CHALLENGE

The Nottingham Trent University (NTU) European Cities Challenge is a student-led extracurricular project initiated by NTU Global in 2019. Participants travel to various European cities using sustainable transport to research effective and innovative practices. These practices are then brought back to their communities with the engagement of local councils. Sustainability and community are at the heart of the challenge, with each iteration focusing on a different theme shaped by council needs.

The 2025 European Cities Challenge continued to focus on inclusive communities and youth engagement, with a stronger emphasis on exploring the most effective ways to involve young people in shaping local government and decision-making. This multifaceted collaboration gave students the opportunity to address real-world issues through international research and close engagement with local councils.

A total of 39 NTU students, supported by eight NTU Global staff and four representatives from local councils, took part in the week-long research trip during the Easter break. Their insights were later showcased at a final event held at NTU’s Mansfield Hub.

As with previous challenges, NTU Global once again partnered with Mansfield, Ashfield and Bolsover District Councils to task students with exploring how local authorities can better engage young people in decision-making and civic life.

These districts are undergoing active regeneration, each with a strong focus on involving young people in shaping their communities. Many of this year’s participants study at NTU’s Mansfield Hub or live in the aforementioned districts, giving them first-hand insight into local priorities.

Drawing inspiration from international approaches to digital culture, artificial intelligence and sustainability, students developed practical ideas to support youth participation. One group built on the winning concept from last year’s challenge, which proposed creating local opportunities through a net zero and skills-focused approach.

The research trip began in Lille, France, with a visit to one of Nottingham Trent University’s long-standing partners, Université Catholique de Lille. The group was welcomed with presentations from the Deputy Mayor of Lille, student representatives from the university’s student federation, and professionals from various organisations, who shared how they are involving young people in shaping the future of their communities. This was followed by themed workshops with university staff and students.

The students participating in this year’s challenge have been so impressive. Their enthusiastic engagement with local authorities and European partners has challenged us to think differently! We have already begun to explore how we can turn these inspirational ideas into actions that will benefit local communities in Mansfield, Ashfield and Bolsover.

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Jeremy Hague, Director of Knowledge Exchange at Nottingham Trent University

From there, students, mentors and council representatives split into five groups and followed pre-planned routes through Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, visiting innovative projects and gathering insights for their proposals.

Astha Sharma, who studies BA (Hons) Business Management and Marketing at NTU, shared how participating in this initiative has impacted her professional development:

“The European Cities Challenge is a unique opportunity that I haven’t seen offered by other universities. Taking part has equipped me with skills and connections that will definitely help me in my future career. It’s also great to immerse yourself in new cultures and languages and meet people you might never otherwise have encountered.”

The challenge culminated in a showcase event on Wednesday 30 April at NTU’s Mansfield Hub. Each group presented their recommendations through a five-minute pitch and a poster, outlining their ideas and the research behind them.

The event was attended by Professor Sarah Speight (Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Nottingham Trent University), Jeremy Hague (Director of Knowledge Exchange), Stephen Williams (Director of NTU Global), and Chris Crabot (Associate Director of NTU Global).

Representatives from all three councils were also present, including Cllr Matt Relf, John Bennet, and Millie Connell from Ashfield District Council, Teresa Garrod from Bolsover District Council, and Mayor Andy Abrahams and Deputy Mayor Craig Whitby from Mansfield District Council.

The winning pitch came from the team behind The BAM Collective, which proposed a youth-led brand and central hub designed to unify and promote activities for young people across the three districts. With the tagline "Created by young people, for young people,"  the project aims to strengthen collaboration and raise awareness of local opportunities for youth engagement.

Deputy Mayor Craig Whitby, Mansfield District Council, commended the work of the students involved in the challenge:

“It was a pleasure to be involved in this year’s European Inclusive Communities Challenge. What impressed me most was the creativity and practicality of the ideas, and the fact that they reflect the kinds of challenges we grapple with in local government every day. I’m particularly proud that an idea from last year’s challenge has now become a live project in Mansfield, with our first-ever AI exhibition planned for later this year. It shows that when we create space for young people’s ideas, and back them with real support, they can have a lasting impact.”

Therasa Garrod, Tourism & Place Manager at Bolsover District Council reflected on her participation of the challenge:

“How best to engage young people in decision-making and governance is at the heart of the Bolsover Place Programme. The learning from this trip has been instrumental in providing a clear way forward to shape a new Young Ambassador Programme. One of the students from the trip who is from the Bolsover area, has agreed to work with me on developing the board and is keen to help shape the new Bolsover Young Ambassador Programme.”

The councils praised the students for their creativity, depth of research and realistic action plans, many of which show strong potential for local implementation.